Fr. Thomas Phelan
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From Danny’s Files: Glenmore’s Threshing Agreement 1907
Last week found in Danny Dowling’s voluminous files, was the following article, which was published in the Wexford People in 1907. This article highlights an agreement reached in Glenmore concerning the prohibition of intoxicating drink at “threshings, harvestings and hay making.”
The Workmen’s Compensaton Act 1906
The article provides that farmers were now liable for injuries to employees under the recently enacted Employers’ Liability Act (1906). We believe that the correct 1906 Act was the Workmen’s Compensation Act. Previously, in 1880 injured employees were given the right to seek their medical costs due to work related injuries. Although injured employees were given the right to sue their employer for their medical bills the burden of the case remained on the employee. The Workmen’s Compensation Act 1897 replaced the 1880 Act and allowed employees to merely show that they were injured on the job. However, the 1897 Act only covered blue collar, industrial workers. The 1897 Act was replaced and the categories of protected workers was expanded under the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1906. The 1906 Act made insurance mandatory on employers, thus introducing a social insurance scheme. The 1906 Act went into effect on 1 July 1907 and included agricultural workers as well as domestic servants for the first time.
Notwithstanding the legislation and the Wexford People article, while attempting to locate other articles regarding the Glenmore Threshing Agreement, we found an article in the New Ross Standard that squarely placed the Glenmore Threshing Agreement at the feet of Father Thomas Phelan, P.P. of Glenmore. Excerpts from the New Ross Standard are below.
The Wexford People Article
A NEW MOVEMENT IN GLENMORE. SPLENDIDLY INITIATED. We have just heard of the successful initiation on last Sunday, in the important parish of Glenmore, beautifully situated on the banks of our own dear Barrow, of a movement combining the farmers and labourers of the parish in their own interest, in doing away with the custom of giving intoxicating drink at threshings, harvestings and hay-making.
That the movement gives good hopes for success is evident from the fact that on the invitation of the clergy over eighty farmers came forward and signed the following resolution:—”We promise and agree that for the future we shall not give nor accept any kind of intoxicating drink at hay-making, harvesting, and threshings, and that we shall not allow our sons or servants to help at any place where intoxicating drink will be distributed.”
The signing of this resolution by the farmers of a parish is indeed a very healthy sign that they realise the dangers attending their work when drink is distributed, and the increased risk of accidents to workmen, for which they are now liable. Abuses were many in the past. Frequently it was our sad duty to report during each autumn accidents resulting in temporary or permanent injury to workmen, the loss of valuable lives, the consuming by fire of haggards of corn and hay, and the destruction of valuable machinery.
Under the Employers Liability Act every farmer is now liable in law for every accident to his workmen whilst in his employment, and we are not at all surprised to find that the intelligent farmers of Glenmore, under the guidance of their priests, have given the new condition of things full and earnest consideration, and have set themselves to reduce the danger and risks. For the benefit of employers generally it will be useful to point out that if a workman is killed as the result of an accident in his employment the employer is liable for three years’ wages, which Parliament has decided must be not less than £l5O nor more than £300; but if the accident result in temporary or permanent disablement then the employer is legally bound to pay his workman half wages for the whole time of his disablement. These are the main outlines of the recent Act of Parliament. and farmers who wish to study their position should procure a copy of the Act, or, better still, obtain guidance by some barrister. (Wexford People, Sat. 24 Aug. 1907, p. 5)
The New Ross Standard Article
“Mission at Glenmore”—On Sunday evening two priests of the Redemptorist Order, Father Burke and Father M’Hugh, closed a fortnight’s mission in Glenmore. “It was a grand and glorious success from the opening to the close. Old parishioners who have been blessed by many a mission proclaim this to be the most successful of all. It was favoured with delightful weather, an important factor in country missions…Today many parishes might envy the peace and happiness which reign supreme in Glenmore.”
“The temperance movement, initiated a few months previously by the priests of the parish for the abolition of the abominable custom of giving out drink on the occasions of threshings, was steeped home and completed by the invincible eloquence of the missionaries. No true son of St. Patrick, no Irishman possessing a spark of Christianity or love of fatherland, could withstand Father Burke’s seething denunciations of this ruinous custom. Every householder of the parish, no matter what his occupation or social standing has signed, without one single exception, a pledge drawn up Father Phelan, P.P.”
The pledge simply state that “neither to give nor to accept any intoxicating drinks on the occasions of threshings or hay-making, and not to allow either their sons or servants to help in any place where such drink is given.” “The farmers of Glenmore have led the way. May all Ireland follow.”
It also was reported that upwards of seven hundred solemnly pledged themselves to total abstinence for five years. Is Ireland “at last realizing the real bond of slavery?” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Oct. 1907, p. 6)
Was It Honoured?
It is not known if the agreement was honoured, or if it was honoured how long it lasted. Older local farmers have indicated that a barrel of beer was provided at the conclusion of threshings, hay making and harvests for the workers as well as for guests at weddings and funerals. Father Thomas Phelan was instrumental in the renovation of St. James in 1910. See our previous blog post of 2 May 2020 regarding the renovation of St. James and where it was noted that the chapel bell was split in half during the 1907 missions.
Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Parish Church: 1910-1912, Renovations & Re-Consecration
In one of our first posts the building of St. James, the Glenmore Catholic parish church, was discussed. In this post we shall highlight information from some of Danny Dowling’s recently transcribed notebooks particularly the names and townlands of some of the parishioners who donated pews, windows and confessionals when the church was renovated in 1910-1912 and donor information as published in the New Ross Standard at that time. See our post of
1813-1898
St. James was built in 1813 and according to the New Ross Standard of 17 May 1912, the church was built by Father Fitzpatrick with the help of the parishioners. Danny in a January 1969 interview of Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore recorded that during Father Dunphy’s administration collections were undertaken and the alter and two side alters were erected. Father Dunphy left Glenmore in 1898 following the death of Father Nolan. Father Dunphy went to Danesfort as Parish Priest and died while serving there. (When the Glenmore Land League split, Father Dunphy led the anti-Parnell faction.) According to Nicholas Forristal from 1813 until the Dunphy renovations, the alter was against the back wall and there were two doors leading to the Sacristy, with one door on each side of the alter. There were also two sets of stairs leading to the old gallery each at the side of each wall. Nicholas Forristal stated that from the time of the building of the church until the renovations the Strange family, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore had a private pew in the gallery which was divided into two parts. One part was for the ladies and the other for the men. There was a door to each part. Nicholas Forristal explained in his interview that the Strange family helped a lot in the building of St. James in 1813 and “on this account got a private pew.”
Fr. Thomas Phelan Arrived
Around 1903 Father Thomas Phelan became Parish Priest of Glenmore. It was reported in an article that the church had fallen into a state of disrepair which caused anxiety to Father Phelan (New Ross Standard, 17 May 1912). About 1907 during a Mission the chapel bell was being rung when it split in half. The newspaper accounts do not indicate how the new bell was obtained, but the Most Rev. Dr. Browning, Lord Bishop of Ossory, blessed the new bell on 3 October 1909. At this blessing Father Phelan began in earnest the fundraising for the extensive renovations he proposed. For the dedication of the new bell the Jesuit preacher, the Very Rev. Michael Phelan was the featured preacher (New Ross Standard, 1 Oct. 1909) and an advertisement was placed in the local papers inviting support.
1910-1912 Renovations
For two years the tradesmen and renovators worked on the Glenmore church. At a Mission held in June 1911 (which was the third mission within five years) a sort of progress report was published. It was reported that fourteen Stations of the Cross, costing in the aggregate of about £l6O were donated as were two new confessionals, a sanctuary lamp of great value, several new pews, and several altar requisites. The new belfry, new gallery, new floor, with tiled sanctuary and sides and new church roof and ceiling were all complete (New Ross Standard, 30 June 1911).
In a final push for donations, on 15 March 1912 the New Ross Standard reported that the parishioners… “in addition to their contributions they have given many costly presents to adorn and ornament the House of God and the place where His glory dwelleth. These presents have taken a very practical form, commemorating at the same time the faith and generosity of the donors and needed furniture and equipment. The Stations of the Cross, confessionals, sanctuary lamp, baptistry, windows, pews, and vestments are all included in the presentation. Many articles are still needed, and those who claim Glenmore as their place of birth, or are otherwise associated with the parish, and within whose consecrated graveyards lie the remains of near and dear friends, should lose no time in communicating with the priests of the parish and secure before everything is disposed of some article as an offering to the church: on which their name can be inscribed. What a happiness one’s name perpetuated in connection with the church of one’s own native parish, around which so many happy memories are entwined.”
Re-Consecration 1912
The long awaited dedication and re-consecration of St. James, the parish church of Glenmore, is covered in an article that almost covers an entire page of the 17 May 1912 edition of the New Ross Standard. A photo of Father Phelan and St. James church is featured in this article as well as a description of the interior renovations. “On entering the church one is struck by the extent and magnificence of the renovations, improvements and decorations. The sanctuary is decorated in Mosaic with a handsome frieze and three arches forming a background for the three beautiful oak altars, which have been renovated and picked out in gold. The central arch bears the emblem of the Passion. The vane portion has been decorated with great taste, and the frieze and decorations of the windows are very artistic in effect. The Stations of the Cross, by Messrs. Bull, of Dublin, form a beautiful ornament to the sacred edifice, as also the beautiful new confessionals. The beautiful and well-finished pews and benches were made by Hearne and Co. Waterford.”
Donated Items
A list of the donated items was printed as follows: A set of Stations of the Cross (Irish Manufactured), in oak frame, walnut pillars, carved capitals and oil pictures, with zinc backs, the whole costing £150, and to each of which is attached a brass plate giving the names of the donors, were presented to Father Phelan in memory of the Rev. Nolan, P.P., by the following parishioners: Mr. John Curran, N. T., and Mrs. Curran, N.T., and Mr. P.N. O’Gorman, Rosbercon; Mr. Thomas Forrestal, and Mrs. Forrestal, Ballyverneen, Mrs. Dunphy, Ballyverneen, Mr. Mullins, Haggard; Mrs Aylward, do; Mr. John Ennett, Cappagh; Mr. Richard Doherty and Mrs. Doherty, Ballinlammy; Mr. James Delahunty, Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald and Mrs. Fitzgerald, Weatherstown; Miss Mary Walsh, Weatherstown; Misses Murphy, Kearneybay.
- Beautiful carved scotch pine confessionals by Mr. John Hynes, Ballybrahee, and Mr. P. Green, Jamestown.
- A very fine sanctuary lamp by Mr. P. Walsh and Mrs. Walsh, Davidstown.
- A set of brass altar candlesticks, by Mrs. Forrestal, Carrickloney.
- Benediction cape and vestments by the Sacred Heart Sodality.
- The baptistry by Mr. John Aylward, Ballinclare, in memory of Mr. Joseph Gahan, Ballylogue.
- (Unfortunately the list of donors for windows is not legible)
- Processional cross, by the children of the Robinstown Female School.
- Pews, by Mr. Michael Barron, Clarrigcloney; Mr. John Phelan, Mullinhone; the Misses Gahan, Newtown; Mr. John Grace, Forristalstown; Mr. Richard Keogh, Rathinure; Mr. Michael Hynes, Ballybrehee; Mrs. Hanrahan, Glenmore, and by “donor.”
At the end of this publication it is stated, “It is understood the list is not yet completed.”
For our international readers, the tradition in St. James is (that facing the alter) men sat on the left hand side of the church and women sat on the right. It is not known why or when this tradition developed, but the statue of St. Joseph is on the left and the Virgin Mary is on the right.
Seats in Chapel Men’s Side (from alter) recorded by Danny Dowling
- Presented by James Doherty, Coonaleen
- In Memory of Mrs Ellen Cahill, Ballymountain R.I.P., Presented by Mrs. Rd. Doherty
- Presented by Michael Delaney, Newtown
- In Memory of John Curran, N.T., Robinstown R.I.P.
- In Memory of Anastasia Walsh, Ballyverneen R.I.P.
- In Memory of Patrick Walsh, Ballyverneen R.I.P.
- In Memory of Wm. and Bridget Irish, Carrickcloney R.I.P.
- Presented by Mary Hennessy, N.T. in Memory of Her Mother and Brother R.I.P.
- Presented by Richard Kehoe, Rathinure
- Presented by John Grace, Forristalstown
- In Memory of Patk. Kennedy, USA, Native of Gaulstown R.I.P.
- In Memory of Thomas Mullally, Grogan R.I.P.
- Pray for Donor
- In Memory of John Walsh, Ballybrahee R.I.P
- no name
- Presented by Michael Barron, Carrigcloney
- Presented by Thomas Kennedy, Rathinure
- Confessional on men’s side–Presented by John Hynes, Ballybrahee
- Confessional on women’s side–Presented by Patrick Greene, Jamestown
Nicholas Forristal stated in his interview that the confessionals were given in 1910 “on occasion of marriage.”
Danny also recorded the donors of windows on the women’s side starting at the back, but these are not the windows from the 1910-1912 renovations.
- Presented by the Parishioners of Glenmore,
- Plain window
- Presented by the Hartley Family, Ballinclare
- St. Martin of Tours, Pray for Us–Presented by the People of Haggard
- St. Joseph, Pray for Us–Presented by Pat and Anne Dowling & family, Rickardsland
- Lady Hear My Prayer; Let My Cry Come Unto Thee–Donated by Thomas & Essie Mullally & family, Busherstown
Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic we were unable to visit the Church to determine how many of the donations from the parishioners in 1910-1912 are still present and to record the pews on the womens’ side etc. Later in the twentieth century the remaining gallery was removed and the 1910-1912 windows were replaced.
The Traveling Glenmore Sanctuary Light
Notwithstanding the public statements enticing parishioners to donate to have one’s name perpetuated in connection with their parish church, yesterday, Danny related that the sanctuary lamp donated by Mrs. Walsh, of Davidstown, my husband’s great-grandmother, was removed from the Church by a priest when he was transferred to another parish. Danny could not recall who or when this occurred. Mrs. Maureen Claridge, née Walsh with the aid of a cousin went in search of the lamp donated by her grandparents and located it in Crosspatrick chapel in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny. It is believed that she visited Ballypatrick in the 1990’s and photographed the sanctuary lamp.
In 2011 Maureen’s youngest brother, Nicholas Walsh, of Davidstown, Glenmore visited Crosspatrick and viewed the sanctuary lamp donated by his grandparents to Glenmore Church during the 1910-1912 renovations. The sanctuary lamp in Crosspatrick bears an inscription “Gift of Patrick and Margaret Walsh, Davidstown A.D. 1911.”
The featured photo of St. James, Glenmore parish church, came from the 1912 article. Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh, for the old photos of St. James and to Dick Claridge and Margaret Phelan née Claridge for the information and Margaret for the photos she took of the traveling Glenmore sanctuary lamp in 2011.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh